CERTIFICATE PROGRAM in BOTANICAL ART and ILLUSTRATION Spaces Remaining: 4884The Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration provides comprehensive courses to people who wish to improve their skills in drawing and painting plants in an accurate and technically detailed manner. Studies leading to the certificate will enhance the experience of both the professional and the dedicated amateur artist. The program is designed to give students a well-balanced curriculum combining basic scientific background, visual arts theory, and practical experience using various media. Classes are taught by NCBG staff, and other area art and botany professionals.
$100 enrollment fee for administrative costs; courses will entail additional fees. Students must be at least 18 years of age to enroll.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM in NATIVE PLANT STUDIES Spaces Remaining: 4918The Certificate in Native Plant Studies provides a well-balanced botany, ecology, and taxonomy curriculum that enables students to develop a greater appreciation of native flora of the southeastern United States. The program provides basic scientific background and hands-on investigative opportunities. Studies leading to the Certificate will enhance the experience of professionals as well as dedicated amateur botanists and provide strong credentials for those involved in botanical, ecological, and conservation endeavors. Classes are taught by Garden staff, UNC professors, and other area experts.
$100 enrollment fee for administrative costs; courses will entail additional fees. Students must be at least 18 years of age to enroll.

GIFT CERTIFICATES Spaces Remaining: 9999Share your love for the mission of the North Carolina Botanical Garden with a gift certificate in the amount of your choosing. Gift certificates never expire and can be used toward registration in any of our hundreds of programs, or even toward enrollment in one of our certificate programs!

August

8/1/2015 9:15 AM - 2:15 PM

BotanyRegistration ClosedSaturdays, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22; 9:15am-2:15pm
Location: Reeves South on Aug 1, 8, 15; C106 on Aug 22
This course is introductory and designed for a broad audience. Basic principles of botany, including taxonomy, anatomy, morphology and physiology, are covered. Class time is divided between lectures and examining/dissecting samples. There will also be opportunities for making observations in the gardens.
Fee: $195 ($175 members)

8/8/2015 9:15 AM - 2:15 PM

BotanyRegistration ClosedSaturdays, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22; 9:15am-2:15pm
Location: Reeves South on Aug 1, 8, 15; C106 on Aug 22
This course is introductory and designed for a broad audience. Basic principles of botany, including taxonomy, anatomy, morphology and physiology, are covered. Class time is divided between lectures and examining/dissecting samples. There will also be opportunities for making observations in the gardens.
Fee: $195 ($175 members)

8/9/2015 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Introduction to Botanical Art and Illustration Spaces Remaining: 4This half-day class explores the history of botanical illustration, shows examples of various types of botanical illustrations and botanical art, describes the coursework for the Certificate in Botanical Illustration, and introduces the instructors.
Fee: $38 ($34 members)

8/15/2015 9:15 AM - 2:15 PM

BotanyRegistration ClosedSaturdays, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22; 9:15am-2:15pm
Location: Reeves South on Aug 1, 8, 15; C106 on Aug 22
This course is introductory and designed for a broad audience. Basic principles of botany, including taxonomy, anatomy, morphology and physiology, are covered. Class time is divided between lectures and examining/dissecting samples. There will also be opportunities for making observations in the gardens.
Fee: $195 ($175 members)

8/15/2015 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Impressions in BeeswaxEvent is Full: Accepting Wait List RegistrationsLearn techniques in encaustic painting, painting with layers of hot beeswax fused together. You will create six small paintings that will be glued together to make a larger work of images. We will also dip various plant materials in beeswax, iron onto paper, and stain with walnut ink to make a small pamphlet stitch book. Open to anyone interested in working with beeswax! Bring your lunch.
Fee: $70 ($60 members), plus $10 materials fee (cash or check) due at class

8/22/2015 9:15 AM - 2:15 PM

BotanyRegistration ClosedSaturdays, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22; 9:15am-2:15pm
Location: Reeves South on Aug 1, 8, 15; C106 on Aug 22
This course is introductory and designed for a broad audience. Basic principles of botany, including taxonomy, anatomy, morphology and physiology, are covered. Class time is divided between lectures and examining/dissecting samples. There will also be opportunities for making observations in the gardens.
Fee: $195 ($175 members)

8/29/2015 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Pollination Spaces Remaining: 15Saturdays, Aug 29, Sept 12, 19, 26
9:30am–12:30pm
This course explores the partnership of flowering plants and their animal pollinators. Included will be a study of attractant systems, breeding biology of the floral partner, aspects of the biology and behaviors of pollinators, and importance of pollination to ecosystem health and human food production. Lectures will be followed by field observations and lab work.
PREREQUISITES: Botany, Local Flora
Fee: $130 ($117 members)

8/29/2015 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Fall Flora Spaces Remaining: 12August 29, September 12, 26, October 3 (Inclement Weather Date/Optional Field Trip, October 31)
This course is intended for a broad audience, as well as for students who are enrolled in either of the Garden’s certificate programs. Field trips and exercises provide experience in the use of identification keys and recognition of plants in a natural setting.
Fee: $130 ($117 NCBG members)

September

9/3/2015 1:00 PM - 9/24/2015

Beginning Watercolor Spaces Remaining: 4Thursdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24; 1:00 – 4:30pm
In this class, students are introduced to watercolor and learn basics techniques such as flat and graded washes. Students learn to paint simple shapes (spheres and cylinders) and a small botanical subject. Prerequisite: Beginning Drawing.
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members)

Plein Air Spaces Remaining: 15Sundays, September, 13, October 11, 18, 25; 1:15pm – 4:45pm
Plein Air Painting in the Garden is an elective four-week course designed to teach the basic techniques and tools of painting outdoors using watercolor. The nature landscapes in the Botanical Garden serve as the subject for the paintings.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Watercolor (Techniques or Wet and Wild)
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members)

Applied Conservation Biology Spaces Remaining: 20Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22; 1:00 – 4:00pm
October 1, 15, 22: C107; October 8: Bell Seminar Room
This course supplements information presented in Principles of Conservation Biology. It takes the conceptual and theoretical elements of ecological and conservation biology principles and applies them to conservation, rehabilitation and management of natural areas. The subject matter covered demonstrates how concepts such as island biogeography, population genetics, metapopulation
dynamics and ecosystem function are used by conservation planners and land managers. Emphasis is placed on conservation and management practices that are discussed in the classroom and studied in NCBG natural areas. Prerequisite: Principles of Conservation Biology.
Fee: $130 ($117 NCBG members)

10/2/2015 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

NCBG ANNUAL FALL PLANT SALE – Members' Night Preview (You can become a member at the gate!) Spaces Remaining: 200Members' Night: Friday, Oct 2; 5:00pm–7:00pm
Open to Public: Saturday, Oct 3; 9:00am–12:00pm
The public and NCBG garden members are invited to a second day of the NCBG annual fall plant sale. A large selection of southeastern native perennials, woody shrubs and trees, vines, ferns, and carnivorous plants propagated and grown by our very own horticulture staff will be for sale. Non-members can become members by making a donation at the entrance to the sale to receive members' 10% discount on all plant purchases.
Proceeds benefit the horticulture department and fund several part-time garden staff positions.
No registration required.

10/3/2015 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

NCBG ANNUAL FALL PLANT SALE (open to the public and NCBG members) Spaces Remaining: 200Members' Night: Friday, Oct 2; 5:00pm–7:00pm
Open to Public: Saturday, Oct 3; 9:00am–12:00pm
The public and NCBG garden members are invited to a second day of the NCBG annual fall plant sale. A large selection of southeastern native perennials, woody shrubs and trees, vines, ferns, and carnivorous plants propagated and grown by our very own horticulture staff will be for sale. Non-members can become members by making a donation at the entrance to the sale to receive members' 10% discount on all plant purchases.
Proceeds benefit the horticulture department and fund several part-time garden staff positions.
No registration required.

10/4/2015 1:15 PM - 4:45 PM

Edibles on Paper: Pumpkins in Watercolor Spaces Remaining: 12Spend this fall getting acquainted with pumpkins! Instruction includes drawing for accuracy, painting wet into wet with saturated color, followed by dry brush to bring out the details. This is a non-credit course. No prerequisites, although some watercolor knowledge is helpful.
Fee: $38 ($34 NCBG members)

10/9/2015 1:00 PM - 10/30/2015

Field Sketching Spaces Remaining: 12Fridays, October 9, 16, 23, 30; 1:00 – 4:30pm
Take your sketchbook outdoors and reconnect with plants in their natural environment. In this course, students are encouraged to shed old habits and try new techniques as they travel to a variety of gardens and habitats. Through a combination of guided exercises and free experimentation, students discover new ways of seeing plants, new problem-solving skills, and a refreshing way of thinking about layout and color. Several media are used, from ballpoint pen to watercolor to pencil.
No prerequisite.
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members)

10/14/2015 1:00 PM - 11/4/2015

Beginning Colored Pencil Spaces Remaining: 14Wednesdays, October 14, 21, 28, November 4; 1:00 – 4:30pm
Colored pencil is a logical next step to advance from drawing to painting; it is a drawing media but introduces a full array of fine art pigments. This course teaches commonly used pencil strokes and techniques such as layering, blending, burnishing, and tonal gradation and is a required course for students in the NCBG Certificate program.
Prerequisite: Beginning Drawing.
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members)

10/18/2015 1:15 PM - 11/15/2015

Plant Taxonomy Spaces Remaining: 20Sundays, October 18, 25, November 15; 1:15 – 5:00pm
This course builds on the fundamentals taught in Botany and prepares students for supplementary material covered in Flowering Plant Families. It is a core course for students enrolled in either of the NCBG certificate programs. Students learn the basic concepts of the taxonomy of vascular plants and how to identify plant families by making observations of selected characteristics. The use of taxonomic keys is introduced. Interesting examples are studied to illustrate current issues in plant taxonomy and nomenclature.
Prerequisite: Botany
Fee: $130 ($117 NCBG members)

10/24/2015 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Lichens Spaces Remaining: 18This class is intended for a broad audience. Lichens (lichenized fungi) are symbiotic organisms that consist of fungal, algal and/or bacterial partners. Among the first life-forms to live on land, lichens have occupied nearly every habitat on Earth and grow on many of the surfaces of our environment. This class introduces students to the fascinating world of lichen biology, the dazzling diversity of the local lichen flora, and their importance as indicators of environmental health. Includes lecture, demonstrations, and a field trip.
Serves as 1/2 elective credit for the Certificate in Native Plant Studies.
Bring your lunch.
No prerequisite
Fee: $65 ($58 NCBG members)

10/28/2015 1:00 PM - 11/18/2015

Pen and Ink Spaces Remaining: 13Wednesdays, October 28, November 4, 11, 18; 1:00 – 4:30pm
In this class, students learn to draw with pen and ink using standard techniques and conventions. Students work with both “old-fashioned” dip pens and modern technical pens to create accurate botanical drawings.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Drawing.
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members)

10/31/2015 9:00 AM - 11/21/2015

Intermediate Expressive Watercolor (Wet and Wild) Spaces Remaining: 14Saturdays, October 31, November 7, 14, 21; 9:00am – 12:30pm
The Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate Program now offers two complimentary tracks of instruction with two watercolor tracks, one emphasizing techniques for the high detail and accuracy needed for illustrations (Intermediate Watercolor for Illustrators) and this new course of techniques for a looser, expressive art while still emphasizing drawing accuracy. This course builds upon the knowledge and skills of Beginning Watercolor and provides instruction based on a fluid brush style combined with careful observation of plants. 'It focuses on learning general methods for using a brush to create forms, adding details, using masks and creating backgrounds.
Prerequisites: Beginning Watercolor, Intermediate Drawing.
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members)

10/31/2015 1:00 PM - 11/21/2015

Acrylic Spaces Remaining: 15Saturdays, October 31, November 7, 14, 21; 1:00 – 4:30pm
This four week course gives the student fundamentals in painting with the opaque water medium, acrylic. The course offers a survey of various methods of painting in this medium and provides instruction in using acrylic for botanical art and illustration.
Prerequisite: Beginning Drawing
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members)

November

11/1/2015 1:15 PM - 4:45 PM

Fall Leaves in Colored Pencil Spaces Remaining: 11This workshop is intended for anyone interested in spending a fun afternoon drawing fall leaves and learning about deciduous trees native to North Carolina. Students receive easy-to-follow instructions to draw in color. This is a non-credit course. No prerequisites and no supplies needed.
Fee: $38 ($34 NCBG members)

11/3/2015 9:30 AM - 11/24/2015

Soil Ecology Spaces Remaining: 17Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17, 24; 9:30am – 12:30pm
This course is intended for a broad audience. Students are introduced to the complex world of soils including information on how they are formed, characterized, and populated by a wide array of organisms. An overview of soil types is presented, followed by the study of typical Piedmont soils and their properties. The various roles that soils play in both human society and ecological systems are discussed.
No prerequisite.
Fee: $130 ($117 NCBG members)

11/8/2015 1:15 PM - 12/6/2015

Composition Spaces Remaining: 13November 8, 15, 29, December 6; 1:15 – 4:45pm
This course is a broad study in the elements that formulate a good composition. Students learn how to make visual choices and determine how parts of a plant are arranged on the page to balance botanical accuracy and artistic sensitivity.
No prerequisites.
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members)

11/16/2015 1:00 PM - 12/7/2015

Advanced Traditional Watercolor (for Illustrators) Spaces Remaining: 16Mondays, November 16, 23, 30, December 7; 1:00 – 4:30pm
This course builds upon Intermediate Watercolor for Illustrators. Students independently select a native plant of their choice and design and complete a watercolor painting displaying different aspects of that plant. Instructor is available for consultation and problem solving, as well as in-class critiques. Students prepare a written analysis of their work, explaining their design choices, as well as report describing the botanical details of their selected plant.
Prerequisites: Intermediate Traditional Watercolor (for Illustrators), Integrating Composition and Color Theory.
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members) C106

11/18/2015 1:00 PM - 12/9/2015

Intermediate Colored Pencil Spaces Remaining: 14Wednesdays, November 18, 25, December 2, 9; 1:00 – 4:30 pm
This course makes use of the techniques and information covered in Beginning Colored Pencil and hones skills in composition, color matching and layering. Students complete a drawing of a native botanical subject of choice. This elective is intended for students who wish to develop a strong, more-advanced-level skill in colored pencil.
Prerequisites: Beginning Colored Pencil, Intermediate Drawing
Fee: $150 ($135 NCBG members)

December

12/4/2015 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Book Review: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard Spaces Remaining: 18Bring your lunch and join Nicolette Cagle for a discussion of Annie Dillard’s nonfiction book, 'Pilgrim at Tinker Creek'. This story is a first-person point of view, detailing the narrator’s explorations of nature and life in the area of Tinker Creek in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The book records the narrator's thoughts on solitude, writing, and religion, as well as scientific observations on the flora and fauna she encounters.
No prerequisite
Fee: $15 ($12 NCBG member)